Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. ~ Colossians 1:1-2 NIV

Notice that Paul’s letter is to God’s holy people. The KJV says saints. Saved people are called to be saints, (i.e., holy). Paul says in his introduction to the Corinthians, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s…

Those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus are called to be saints (to be holy). The NIV says, called to be his holy people. In 1 Peter we read, But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. ~ 1 Peter 1:15-16

Christians are called to holiness. To be holy means to be set apart, and the epistles in the New Testament repeatedly speak on this theme. You find it in almost every introduction of Paul’s letters. In Colossians, Paul not only refers to them as God’s holy people, but also as the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.

Not only are we called to be holy, but we are also called to be faithful. Paul says the same thing to the Ephesians when he writes, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus… ~ Ephesians 1:1

The words found in the book of Ephesians belong to the faithful in Christ Jesus, as do the words in Colossians. Yet it is becoming all too common that faithfulness to God is being dismissed by some as “works” and not necessary for salvation, but salvation calls us to be faithful to God and to Christ. A salvation message that doesn’t call you to faithfulness isn’t salvation from God or Christ. Being faithful to God doesn’t mean that you are perfect, just as being faithful to your spouse doesn’t mean you are perfect either. Being faithful means you are committed for the long haul and you will be found trustworthy.

Trustworthiness is the key to understanding faithfulness. God is completely trustworthy, and salvation calls us into a walk in which we become trustworthy to the Lord. This is evident in what Paul says to the Colossians next.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. ~ Colossians 1:3-8 NIV

The faithfulness of the Colossians moved Paul to pray for them. Consider how trustworthy the Colossians had been in their faith towards God. Paul even tells them that they truly understood God’s grace. If our faithfulness to God doesn’t in some way resemble the attributes that Paul describes regarding the faith of the Colossians, it may be that we do not yet understand God’s grace as we should.

Are we known by our faith? Not as some religious person, but do others see our faithfulness to God? Are we trustworthy people? Is there integrity in our claim to be God’s people? Are others inspired to pray for us, or give thanks for us when they hear of our faith? Is our faith (our holy lifestyle, our faithfulness to God) a shining light that others can see? It was for the Colossians, and the rich truths contained in this short epistle belong to all who are God’s holy and faithful people.

Pray with me.

Holy Father, you are faithful. Grant to me, that I too might be faithful, that my faith in you might be seen by others in a manner that glorifies you and draws others to seek after you. Open to me the rich treasure of what it truly means to be holy and to be faithful, and grant me the grace I need to grow in holiness and faithfulness that you may be glorified in your Son, Jesus.

In Christ Name, Thank you Holy Father.